Lilly is counting on new drugs to perk up sales

Although the pharmaceutical giant will continue to be a big-time player, its lowered expectations for the rest of this year have taken a toll on its stock.

After previously forecasting 7 percent to 9 percent sales growth for 2006, management now expects results in the lower end of that range. That's due in part to disappointing sales of its insulin drugs.

It also faces increased competition for its Zyprexa antipsychotic medication, which is its top-selling drug but has seen its sales slip slightly in the United States. It loses patent protection in 2011.

Shares of Eli Lilly (LLY) are flat this year, after a small dip last year and a 19 percent decline in 2004. Sales were up 5 percent in its recent quarter on gains in treatments for depression and lung cancer.

Consensus rating on shares of Lilly is a "buy," according to Thomson Financial. That consists of five "strong buys," seven "buys," 13 "holds" and one "underperform."

Earnings are expected to increase 9 percent this year, in line with the major drug manufacturing industry. Next year's projected 8 percent rise compares with 12 percent forecast industrywide.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved use of Lilly's drug Gemzar to treat recurrent ovarian cancer when used in combination with carboplatin chemotherapy.

Lilly is awaiting a ruling from U.S. regulators on approval of Arxxant, a drug to combat eye damage in diabetics that could become a big seller. The company is testing an anti-cancer pill that could shrink brain tumors and potentially other forms of cancer.

What's your opinion of Artisan International Value Fund? It hasn't been around too long, I realize, but I have heard good things.

- C.R., via the Internet

So far, so good.

Launched four years ago, the $969 million fund has turned in a fine performance by investing in a concentrated portfolio of 40 stocks. Portfolio manager David Samra favors stocks that are inexpensive enough to provide a potential 30 percent return but not in financial distress.

Artisan International Value Fund (ARTKX) has gained 27 percent in the past 12 months to rank in the top 10 percent of foreign small- and mid-cap value funds. Its average annual return of 28 percent over the past three years ranks in the top 40 percent.

"I recommend this fund as an all-capitalization value fund that just happens to be at the lower end [small- and mid-cap] because that's where it has found more value," said Paul Herbert, analyst with Morningstar Inc. in Chicago. "It would complement an individual's portfolio that has domestic stocks, though, rather than having it as your only international holding, you might also invest in a growth-stock international fund."

Nearly two-thirds of its portfolio is in United Kingdom and other Western European stocks. Japan, North America, Latin America and non-Japanese Asia are other concentrations.

You told B.N. of Villa Park, Ill., that the IRA custodian wished to market products to him when they asked for his net worth, tax bracket and total assets. As a member of the NASD Board of Arbitrators, I might add that in most instances that information is collected to protect the custodian from inappropriate lawsuits. In arbitration cases, those bits of information could have a major impact, showing suitability (or lack of) and perhaps affecting other issues.

- C.F., Arlington Heights, Ill.

My recent response to the reader who didn't want to supply personal financial information to an IRA custodian shook a hornet's nest, mostly of irate brokers.

The fact is, the Internal Revenue Service does not require that information and pointedly leaves the determination of whether a contribution is deductible up to the investor. For example, the IRA application at Vanguard Group doesn't require net worth, total assets or tax bracket. It asks for information such as name, address, phone, Social Security number and birth date to verify identity.

It is in the case of the "suitability" rules of the NASD, a self-regulatory organization, and the New York Stock Exchange that - as C.F. points out - such personal financial information is requested. That is because those brokers are advising clients on their investment decisions. And yes, they also use the information to market products.

An IRA custodian who requires such questions does have the option of refusing to sign you up if you won't answer.